About Elizabeth Ainsworth
- Occupational Therapist with over 25 years’ experience working in the housing field (over 30 years working as an OT).
- Presenter of home modification workshops, lectures, and education events
- Co-author of a book on home modifications practice – Ainsworth, E. & de Jonge, D. (2019). An occupational therapist’s guide to home modification practice (2nd ed.). Thorofare, NJ: SLACK Inc.
- Recipient of the 2013 Occupational Therapy Australia – Qld Division Mary Rankine Wilson Award for Professional Excellence
- Recipient of 2015 Australian Postgraduate Award Scholarship through the University of Qld
- Recipient of the 2015 Occupational Therapy Australia – Qld Division Louise Van Willigen Memorial Scholarship
- Recipient of the 2017 Occupational Therapy Australia National Elspeth Pearson Award
- Accredited and Qualified Access Consultant
- Expert for Qld and Canadian Supreme Court medico legal cases relating to claimant/defendant home modification/housing matters
Specialities
- Providing medico legal assessments for the court system as an expert witness
- Specialty relates to providing home modification and new domestic construction recommendations to people with a range of conditions including spinal injury, head injury, neurocognitive disorders, orthopaedic injury, musculoskeletal disoders etc.
- Providing services to older people and people with a disability requiring home modification and new domestic design assessment and case management services.
- Providing assessment of public buildings and facilities in relation to the requirements/intent of the Premises Standards, Disability Discrimination Act, Building and Plumbing Codes and Australian Standards relating to access for people with a disability, and documentation of reports for organizations.
- Providing advice, mentoring and coaching to occupational therapists providing home modification services in the community or to services enquiring about best practice/evidence based solutions to best meet the needs of their clients.
- Presenting lectures to undergraduate university students and clinicians; and guest speaker at building industry, legal and occupational therapy events.
- Co-authoring and presenting information at various forums relating to the occupational therapy profession, and universal design and home modification practice.
Published Papers
Ainsworth, E., Aplin, T., de Jonge, D., & Bennett, S. (2022). Understanding home modification outcomes from the perspective of older people and people with a disability: informing home modification evaluation. Disability and Rehabilitation. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2146765
Aplin, T., Hoyle, M., Fiechtner, E., Bailey, A., & Ainsworth, E. (2020). Home modification service delivery in Australia. Journal of Aging and Environment, 34(2), 190-209. doi: 10.1080/26892618.2020.17435132
Aplin, T., & Ainsworth, E. (2018). Clinical utility of the In-Home Occupational Performance Evaluation (IHOPE) for major home modification practice in Australia. Australian Journal of Occupational
Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12510
de Jonge D, Aplin T, Larkin S, Ainsworth E. (2016). The aesthetic appeal of assistive technology and the economic value baby boomers place on it: A pilot study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 63(6), 415-423. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12286.
Ainsworth, E. (2016). Mods make home a help, not a hindrance. Australian Community Care Review, August, 16-18.
Ainsworth, E. (2016). Modifying the home: Building, inclusion, practice. OT Connections, August (13)4, 17-19.
Ainsworth, E., de Jonge, D., Layton, N. (2016). Home modifications in Australia. Housing Learning and Improvement Network, UK. http://www.housinglin.org.uk/_library/Resources/Housing/Practice_examples/Housing_LIN_case_studies/HLIN_CaseStudy_119_Australia.pdf
Ainsworth, E. (2015). ACAA conference summary. OT Connections. October, 12(6), 34-35.
Ainsworth, E. & de Jonge, D. (2014). The relevance and application of universal design in occupational therapy practice. OT NOW, 16(5), 5-7. http://www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageid=466
Ainsworth, E. & de Jonge, D. (2014). Universal design and home modification practice in Australia. OT NOW, 16(5), 29-30. http://www.caot.ca/default.asp?pageid=466
Ainsworth, E. & de Jonge, D. (2010). Access standards for home modification practice. Journal of the Independent Living Centres Australia, 25(4), 24-25.
de Jonge, D., Ainsworth, E. & Tanner, B. (2006). Home modifications down under: Promoting independence for older persons with disabilities. Assistive Technology Research Series. Selected Papers from the 2006 International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence.
Ainsworth, E. (2005). Occupational therapy: Creating home environments that sustain the health and wellbeing of the ageing population. National Speakers Series. Australian Association of Gerontology. www.health.gov.au/communityforallages
Ainsworth, E. (1989). Employer attitudes: Hiring individuals with a mild intellectual disability. Department of Family Services Community Bulletin, 13(3), 10–12.
Paper and Poster Presentations
Ainsworth, E. (2022). Home modification innovation in policy, practice and research in Australia. The OT Show, Birmingham. 23 – 24 November 2022.
Ainsworth, E., Aplin, T.,& Bennett. S (2022). The perspectives of older people and people about important home modification outcomes. Paper – MOD.A (Home Modifications Australia) National Home Modifications Conference. 21 – 22 February 2022
Ainsworth, E., Aplin, T., de Jonge, D., & Bennett. S (2020). The perspectives of occupational therapists and managers about important home modification outcomes. Paper – Occupational Therapy Exchange, Virtual National Conference. 14–15 September 2020
Ainsworth, E. (2018). Home modifications in Australia. Paper – Home Modifications Canada Conference, Toronto, Canada. 29 November 2018
Ainsworth, E. & de Jonge, D. (2017). An international perspective on home modification service provision: Challenges to partnerships and practice with older people and people with a disability. Poster – Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference. Perth, Western Australia, Australia – held 18 – 21 July 2017.
Ainsworth, E., Aplin, T., Gustafsson, L., & de Jonge, D. (2017). Australian consumer experiences of home modifications: Considerations for outcome measurement. Paper – the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics (IAGG) Conference, San Francisco, USA – 23-23 July 2017.
Ainsworth, E., Aplin, T., Gustafsson, L., & de Jonge, D. (2017). Measuring home modification outcomes in Australia.Paper – the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ Housing Conference, 9-10 November 2017, Belfast, Ireland.
Ainsworth, E., Aplin, T., Gustafsson, L., & de Jonge, D. (2017). Understanding consumers’ experiences of home modification outcomes: Considerations for partnerships and practice. Paper – Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference. Perth, Western Australia, Australia – held 18 – 21 July 2017.
Ainsworth, E. (2016). Home modification practice issues. Paper – State Occupational Therapy Conference NT/Qld Division, Brisbane, Queensland.
Ainsworth, E. & Aplin, T. (2015). The clinical utility of the In Home Occupational Performance (I-HOPE). Paper – Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Ainsworth, E. (2014). Universal design and home modification practice in Australia – Challenges and opportunities. Keynote presentation at the British Occupational Therapy Association College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section – Housing Conference, Bristol, UK.
Ainsworth, E. (2014). Home modifications for people in the bariatric range. Keynote presentation at The OT Show, Birmingham, UK.
Ainsworth, E. (2013). Trends and experiences influencing the Australian experience of universal housing design. Paper – Association of Consultants in Access, Australia. Sydney, New South Wales.
Ainsworth, E. (2013). Design for diversity. Paper – Universal Design Summit 5. St Lois Missouri, USA.
Ainsworth, E. (2012). Using evidence as an expert witness to determine a housing solution. Paper – Inaugural National Home Modification Conference. Home Modification and Maintenance Council of New South Wales.
Ainsworth, E. & de Jonge, D. (2012). Home modifications services and funding in Queensland. Paper – Inaugural National Home Modification Conference. Home Modification and Maintenance Council of New South Wales.
Hamilton, A., Cook, B.M., & Ainsworth, E. (2012). Social media: A virtual ocean of opportunity for occupational therapists. Paper – State Occupational Therapy Australia Qld Conference.
Ainsworth, E. & de Jonge, D. (2012). Advancing innovative practice and exploring creative possibilities. Paper presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Ainsworth, E. (2011). Using evidence as an expert witness to determine a housing solution. Paper presented at the OT AUSTRALIA National Conference.
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2009). Access standards for home modification practice. Journal of Independent Living Centres Australia. 25(4), 24-25.
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2008). Universal design in Australia. Paper presented at the International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence, Florida, USA.
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2008). Occupational therapists leading change as consultants in housing… More than a housing solution. Poster presented at the International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence, Florida, USA..
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2008). Occupational therapists’ role in new residential construction. Poster presented at the International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence, Florida, USA.
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2008). Occupational therapists’ role in home modifications. Poster presented at the International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence, Florida, USA..
Ainsworth, EJ. (2008). Occupational therapy service excellence: Leading the leaders in reflective group supervision practice. Paper presented at the OT AUSTRALIA National Conference, Melbourne.
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2006). Learning from the past and informing the future. Paper presented at the World Federation of Occupational Therapists Conference, Sydney.
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2006). Learning from the past and informing the future. Paper presented at the Australian Network of Universal Housing Design Conference, Sydney.
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2006). Architectural design influences. Paper presented at the International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence, Florida, USA
De Jonge, D., Ainsworth, E. J. & Tanner, B. (2006). Home modifications down under: Promoting independence for older persons with disabilities. Assistive Technology Research Series. Selected Papers from the 2006 International Conference on Aging, Disability and Independence.
Ainsworth, E.J. (2005). Occupational therapy: Creating home environments that sustain the health and wellbeing of the ageing population. National Speakers Series. Australian Association of Gerontology. www.health.gov.au/communityforallages
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2004). Occupational therapists’ role in home modifications. Poster presented at the OT AUSTRALIA Queensland State Conference, Sunshine Coast.
De Jonge, D. & Ainsworth, E.J. (2004). Best practice in home modification service delivery. Paper presented at the OT AUSTRALIA Queensland State Conference, Sunshine Coast.
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2003). Occupational therapists leading change as consultants in housing… More than a housing solution. Poster presented at the OT AUSTRALIA National Conference, Melbourne.
Ainsworth, E.J. & de Jonge, D. (2003). Occupational therapists’ role in new residential construction. Poster presented at the OT AUSTRALIA National Conference, Melbourne.
Ainsworth, E.J. & Mitchell, C. (1999). The unique role of the occupational therapist in the prescription of home modifications. Written paper developed for the OT Association Qld.
Ainsworth, E.J. (2000). Evaluating housing service effectiveness for people with psychiatric disabilities. Paper presented at the OT AUSTRALIA Queensland State Conference, Toowoomba.